In recent weeks, Greg Smith has been slowly losing minutes and now has been replaced in the rotation by Cole Aldrich. Rather than leave the athletic big toiling on the bench, the Rockets have opted to send him down to the D-League to work on his game, per an official team announcement.

Though his defense had definitely regressed in the dozen or so games, it still comes as quite a shock that Aldrich would replace him so quickly in the rotation. Aldrich has the stronger frame and more experience, but Smith's athleticism and ability to finish in the pick-and-roll seemed to make him the superior player at this juncture at their careers.